Tag Archives: Laboratories

Inherently Unsafe: The Hidden Issues Often Overlooked in Research Hazard Analysis

I suspect everyone knows the concept of inherent safety. Use a non-flammable instead of a flammable feed or make sure the system is designed so as to be unable to fail in a hazardous direction. Often, however, I encounter the reverse situation during a safety audit or a hazard analysis and risk assessment, an inherentlyContinue reading “Inherently Unsafe: The Hidden Issues Often Overlooked in Research Hazard Analysis”

Alarms versus Automatic Interlocks in Research Units

Alarms and automatic shutdowns are common in plants and on research units. Both have several shared functions, namely to keep a unit operating safely within design conditions. Both vary in others. Alarms are intended to alert operating personnel to an impending problem in time for them to take appropriate corrective action. Automatic interlocks are designedContinue reading “Alarms versus Automatic Interlocks in Research Units”

Laboratory and Pilot Plant Safety Audits: How to Use Them to Avoid Accidents and Improve Safety Performance

Laboratory and pilot plant safety audits are an important and often overlooked tool for improving an organization’s safety awareness and performance. An audit, unlike a routine safety inspection, is something that occurs less frequently and generally should utilize outside personnel (a ‘cold eyes” type review). It’s purpose is to let someone else review your equipment,Continue reading “Laboratory and Pilot Plant Safety Audits: How to Use Them to Avoid Accidents and Improve Safety Performance”

Transporting Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Dewars On an Elevator

One hopes that no one is going to try and hoist a compressed gas cylinder on their shoulder and attempt to carry it up or down a flight of stairs to another  floor. Similarly, one hopes no one is going to try and pull a cryogenic dewar up down the stairs to another floor. (AndContinue reading “Transporting Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Dewars On an Elevator”

“We Are Comfortable with Our Current Safety Procedures”: How Do You Prevent Something You Don’t Recognize?

When I am asked to consult on safety issues or provide safety training for laboratories and pilot plants, I usually suggest starting with a safety audit of the facility or operation to determine what are the areas that require attention. Limited resources, tight funding, other priorities are among the most commonly cited reasons for deferringContinue reading ““We Are Comfortable with Our Current Safety Procedures”: How Do You Prevent Something You Don’t Recognize?”

Laboratories that are not Laboratories

I must get a dozen questions a year about what NFPA 45 Fire Protection for Laboratories covers. In section 1.1.3 NFPA 45 notes that it does not cover the following: (1)* Laboratories for which the following conditions apply: (a) Laboratory units that contain less than or equal to 4 L (1 gal) of flammable or combustible liquidContinue reading “Laboratories that are not Laboratories”

“We Didn’t Think That Through”: Emergency Response in Research Applications

In a normal, non-Covid year I do numerous safety audits of laboratories and research operations, something I also did many times during my 40 year tenure at ExxonMobil Research & Engineering. Almost invariably when I ask about a site’s emergency response plans, I am told they exist, are reviewed periodically, and there is no need toContinue reading ““We Didn’t Think That Through”: Emergency Response in Research Applications”

Gas Detection Inside Laboratory Hoods: Prudent Safety Measure or Wasted Money?

Clients often ask me if they should provide continuous gas detection in their laboratory hoods. I always start by asking them why they believe it is necessary and usually get some version of the following. (These are numbered for reference not any priority.) To warn them they have a leak or similar loss of containment.Continue reading “Gas Detection Inside Laboratory Hoods: Prudent Safety Measure or Wasted Money?”

Where is the best place to locate a hood in a laboratory?

When you are laying out a laboratory where you place the hoods have a large impact on cost, efficiency, and hood performance. While there are numerous cautions in the literature as to the need for proper placement, many are rather vague, nebulous, and not easily interpreted.